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Monthly Archives: December 2013

It’s advises raining on the AAP. If some want the nascent party to be cautious, others feel the ‘aam aadmi’ government should go full throttle against the corrupt. Most of these ‘advisers’ are either not voters of Delhi or not having any personal interest with the much-talked-about 18-point agenda. The Delhi voters, especially those who suddenly realised that netas are actually meant to serve and not to rule the people, are waiting with bated breath for the time when ‘their own’ AK would reduce their sufferings. They have reposed all their faith on the Team Kejriwal because what the latter promised nobody did so far. The people have also realised that they actually don’t need many other things (read government protection for racial identity, religion and culture) what others had been promising so far, albeit without fulfilling them.

On the other hand, the self-styled advisers are swelling in numbers from every part of the world. They have only one interest – to see a better and honest India. AK and his team have given a ray of hope to these people, who always hated the corrupt and especially politicians. There are many in states across the nation raring to replicate the AAP model. Suddenly, there are hundreds and thousands of countrymen making up their mind to make a political plunge. They are eager to take part in the movement of ‘purification’ of politics.

Some of these advisers, however, are mere attention grabbers. Besides, there is a bigger evil for the AAP now – moles. AK has already indicated the possibility of tie-ups with ‘like-minded’ parties and organisations for the Lok Sabha elections. The party has no restriction against any person becoming a member. The scrutinising comes only in case of office bearers and candidates. There are many disgruntled leaders of other political parties expressing willingness to join the AAP bandwagon. AAP has to take their proposals with a pinch of salt. The party will be on track, for which the people voted for them, as long as it has more number of people of ‘good intention’ on board. It will be part of the usual political market the day when the people of other kind would outnumber the ‘good’ ones. But such things happen in politics, AAP and nobody can deny it. There are no separate compartments for the ‘good’ and the ‘bad’. Though democracy is the game of numbers, AK has to keep an eye on everything to see that too many moles do not spoil the movement which inspired a whole nation to be free and fair, after 60 years of Independence.

Imagine Christmas fairs dotting the streets of Shillong and other major towns in the Christian-dominated states of the North-east on December 25. There would be thousands of people, cutting across religious lines, thronging these places on the auspicious day. Christmas in the hills states of the region is not yet ‘commercialised’ unlike festivals including Christmas in the plain areas. Just hundred kilometres away from the capital of Meghalaya, the streets of Guwahati has more footfalls of Christmas revelers. It is because of the extrovert way of celebrating festivals by the plains people. On the other hand, people in the hills prefer to do the merrymaking with their near and dear ones in a modest and private manner. Both the ways of celebration have their vice and virtues.

Before making the observations, a reference to the Bihu festival of Assam would not be out of place. The festival, which was confined to the fields and kitchens, has made it to the stages in the urban areas let alone the 24×7 channels. In the process, the festival got ‘corrupt’, drawing ire from the orthodox school, but at the same time it ensured greater participation of a larger section of the society comprising various communities. The near absence of religious rituals celebrating the festival also helped greater participation of people of different caste and community. This happens at the cost of ‘purity’, which is again a subject of debate. History is the witness that culture always goes to phases of transition, transformation and reformation.

The low volume of Christmas celebration also might have its genesis in the harsh cold weather of the hills during this time. But things are different now. Cold or heat hardly makes any difference in the modern way of life. If there is a will there is a way, to turn things around. A little extravagant fanfare during Christmas would help a lot of other things besides raising the enjoyment level. It will make people, irrespective of caste and communities, come out of their house and join the revellers. More footfall means more circulation of money. Local entrepreneurs can benefit from such occasions and the place can earn a name for itself. And who knows, a place like Shillong, which is just three-hour drive from Guwahati, the heart of North-east, might become the most favoured destination on December 25?

(Published as editorial in The Meghalaya Guardian on December 27, 2013)

The claim that pro-ILP groups have been ‘democratic’ in their protests has come under further question with a banned militant outfit calling bandh in the formers’ favour. It is understood that the HNLC is struggling for issues to fight for, after realising that their main demand for a ‘Hynniewtrep (Khasi-Jaintia) land’ has not many takers. The rebel outfit, which is dubbed almost non-existential by the security forces, started singing paeans of the ‘democratic’ NGOs since they had started the movement for inner line permit (ILP). In a way, the outfit has been self-contradictory by supporting the demand for ILP, which comes very much under Indian democracy. The HNLC is also trying to tap the public sentiment by demanding release of all the pro-ILP activists, who have been accused of arson, assault and even murder during the three-month-long agitation. The number of the ‘political prisoners’, 70, is quite lucrative for the outfit to back their cause and gain lost ground. Public support is very precious for any outfit as has been shown by the pressure groups too. There have been several instances of reducing bandh hours and ‘exemption’ to some areas from bandhs and blockades. They had even relaxed the agitation during the last Durga Puja, the main festival of the non-tribals staying in the state, although the festival itself was not free of violent attacks.

The HNLC, with its demand for release of the arrested pro-ILP activists to allow them to celebrate Christmas at home, is trying to get closer with the 13 pressure groups. However, it is not yet known whether the HNLC’s call for the bandh has any assent from the NGOs. If there is so, the NGOs can no more claim that their agitation has been democratic throughout. If there is no such backing, then they should make their stand clear although their ‘democratic’ image has already gone for a toss with the arrest of their activists in violent incidents including murder. Meanwhile, the bandh on December 23, which is Monday, will give sufficient reasons for government employees to start their Christmas holidays from December 21, Saturday!

(Published as editorial in The Meghalaya Guardian on December 21, 2013)

Nobody has so far dared accuse the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of having ill intentions. While the detractors say the party lacks knowledge and experience and is shying away from responsibility, the genuine critics doubt its sustainability. “Will they be able to sustain the momentum,” is the million dollar question even for its lakhs of supporters. The party, by emerging second in race to the 70-member Delhi assembly, has created euphoria in the world’s biggest democracy. Online donations are coming across from various states and foreign countries. While some donated Rs 10, 20, 100, 500 and so on, there are people who donated up to Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000, accumulating around Rs 5 lakh per day!

The party has remained different, embarrassing the political rivals right from the day it decided to fight the electoral battle. Arvind Kejriwal was no wrong to claim that the support offered by a political party to another for government formation without being offered any cash or kind is unprecedented and it’s all because of AAP. This, if not with malicious intention, is an example of an ideal democracy.

The country has become so adjusted with the politics of compromise that idealistic thoughts sound unrealistic. Giving electricity at half rate and making water available to all in Delhi is the wildest dream for even a hard core AAP supporter, let alone the Congress and BJP. But the question is that if there is a judicious way of fulfilling the AAP promises, even till half way, shall we not call it a humble beginning to a stronger democracy?

Skeptics cite sweeping victories of Telegu Desam Party and Asom Gana Parishad in the past, only to perish like pack of cards with little chance of recovery in near future. Yes, the history is against AAP. The party may fall the way it came up. However, there is a difference between rise of other parties and AAP. They had won elections on state-specific issues mostly related to ethnicity, race or religion. But this party has grown out of an anti-corruption movement, which was never seen in the country’s history. Though there had been toppling of governments on corruption issues, they referred to particular scandals pinpointing at some individual politicians or parties, and not as a whole. The room for skepticism is there even in case of the most honest person on the earth because money can do ‘wonders’. But shall we not keep aside the skepticism for some time for the sake of this young brigade, who are yet to be dubbed “power hungry”, even by the enemies.

(Published in The Meghalaya Guardian as editorial on December 20, 2013)

The Supreme Court could not have given a wiser verdict, than quashing the Delhi High Court order of decriminalising gay sex in India and pushing the ball to lawmakers’ court. Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code dating back to 1861 makes sexual activities “against the order of the nature” a punishable offence. The apex court, if had uphold the Delhi High Court verdict, would have to go overboard violating the Constitutional provision, influenced by the church during British era India. Ironically, the then rulers of the country are going to legalise same sex marriage in their own country in March next year. With the landmark decision, the UK has joined the group of 20 odd countries including the US, South Africa, Australia, France and Brazil, which have already legalised what the Vatican is in no mood to approve of.

In India, more than the church, it is the Hindu and Muslim religious gurus who are standing between the LGBT community and their “freedom”. This despite the fact that the so-called ban on gay or lesbian sex has its origin in a foreign country, which has already liberated its LGBT people. The gurus have also refused to see into the numerous references, which are not demeaning, to such people in the history. If it is religion they are defending, then they hold no ground. If it is article 377, then they have to look up to UK. But the fact is that politics in India is still largely religion centric. Even the “modern” Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) skipped remark on the SC verdict, saying they have “larger issues” to look after. The political parties can afford to offend the public of this country on any other issue, but not on religion!

There is protest for this or that reason in this country every day, in every place. This movement by LGBT community is not going to stop. One day, they will get their right in India too. The surging wave of legalising gay sex will one day conquer this country. If it has to be granted, in any case, why not now? Why the dilly-dally? Why waste public resources such a “smaller issue”?

The Meghalaya government is reasonable sometimes when it criticises civil society groups being “unreasonable” in their demands. The present demand for inner line permit (ILP) is more swayed by emotions than reasons. Although public emotions led to the most rightful happenings in history and not reasons always, here is not enough space here to debate the issue. The government’s reasons go underground when it comes to taking action on the education scam, a deep scar on the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance – I government. There is a high-level official JD Sangma, the then director of elementary and mass education, who minced no words in his testimony to the CBI, passing the buck to the then education minister Ampareen Lyngdoh. It is another issue that as to why a highly educated person like him sinned even if he had the “blessings” of the minister. He must have eyed some “benefits” as well. But what is still shocking is the non-trial of the minister so far. If the government can take cognizance of even a media report, what prevented it from taking up a suo motto case on the basis of the CBI report? Reasons were buried when it decided to conduct a family (read high level scrutiny committee) trial leading to an obvious clean chit to the minister. And had social activist Agnes Kharshiing not lodged an FIR, there could have been no inquiry at all.

There is also no reason as to why 255 of the 350 appointed assistant teachers were recommended by politicians, some of whom even wanted 37 of their “own” candidates to be on the job. Ironically, a few of the politicians are not even educationally qualified to judge the capability of a teacher. According to his election affidavit, Sniawbhalang Dhar, who declared 30 candidates as “deserving”, is just a Class XII qualified. Now, no ‘aam aadmi’ can believe that Ampareen Lyngdoh was unaware about the whole recommendation drive. The fact remains that none of these public representatives has had to face the court of law so far even as the scam put a blot in the state’s history. The government might have thought – to err is the politician. If innocent, Ampareen has all the access to the law to file a damage suit against the official for “defaming” her. It’s a big question whether the public would get any justice by seeing punishment for small fries such as JD Sangma and two other officials besides the “tainted” candidates. It would not be astonishing to hear one day that Sangma did a volte face putting the entire blame on himself.

Thank (God or whatever), we don’t live in African countries like Central African Republic or many other countries where killing people in the name of religion and race is a day-to-day affair. Sectarian violence claimed around 100 lives in CAR in the past two days. Those died include Muslims as well as Christians. Both the sects have their own militia, to “protect” from each other! No community is above racial bias and everywhere there are people who take sadistic pleasure looking at the misery of others. But the issue is can racial intolerance be taken for granted, especially in 21st century?

Information technology has increased manifold the pace of natural transformation in a society, creating a bigger and bigger a ‘global society’. Technology has enabled even an illiterate labourer to have a ‘friend’ somewhere across the globe. But there is still CAR, Pakistan and for that matter India, shedding blood every day in the name of race and religion.

Although the current agitation over “only ILP” demand is very unlikely to shame the state like CAR, it is time to ask isn’t already too much? The government is shy of calling it communal and the pressure groups claim it is not so. They “only want protection for the indigenous people”. Still, the third life was lost including one unintentional murder in the three-month-long agitation. Even then the non-tribals are calm as ever. Their silence does not mean they are not angry or agitated. They just don’t have the numbers, to put up a bold face. It is not strange that not a single organisation among dozens representing non-tribal communities has dared raising any voice of protest.

These incidents must have given the “much-desired” sadistic pleasure to perpetrators, despite their “own people” being put behind bars for the crimes. They may have taken it (being arrested or jailed) as a “sacrifice” for a “greater cause” – to save the community from “aggression” of the outsiders. Neighbouring Assam has made thousands of such sacrifice, to drive out the Bangladesh immigrants, but to no avail. As a whole, the people of Assam have now learnt to ignore communal tension, except for in some sensitive pockets. At least, the capital Guwahati, which is also the heart of the region, has almost no chance of falling prey to communal waves. Sadly, the scene is completely different 100 km away in Shillong. While the rest of Meghalaya is nearly free from anti non-tribal violence, the capital known as ‘Scotland of East’, ‘Pine City’, ‘NE’s educational hub’, and what not, is drowned in panic and insecurity. There is no other way for the minority non-indigenous Indians, but to learn to live in insecurity or think options of leaving for greener pastures, till time heals the situation.

(Published as editorial in The Meghalaya Guardian on December 7, 2013)

A railway line all along Meghalaya’s 443-km-long border with Bangladesh sounds quite a dream. By making the proposal, chief minister Mukul Sangma has shown his visionary outlook. He will be remembered in the books of history, if government of India gives a go ahead to such a project, and, most importantly, if the project becomes a reality. There is a huge gap between Centre agreeing to an ambitious project and its materialisation, in Meghalaya. Unlike other states of the Northeast, there is opposition to almost every Centrally-sponsored project in the state. The much-hyped uranium mining project did not even see the light of the day. The major voice of opposition raised in other parts of the region is against big dams, which is not the case in Meghalaya. Except for a few voice of protest coming from Meghalaya-Assam border areas, mostly concerned over displacement and compensation, no prominent civil society groups spare any time for these issues. They emerged ‘victorious’ in scuttling the uranium mining project citing health hazard, but still turn a blind eye to drastic change in topography and water resources by rampant coal and limestone mining. The reasons are obvious – coal and cement yield direct income unlike uranium because the latter cannot be mined by any Tom, Dick, and Harry.

It has been decades since the Centre approved a railway line to connect the state with the rest of the country. Yet, it is far from being a reality although the Railways is hopeful of meeting the deadline of the 20-km-long Dudhnoi-Mendipathar line to connect Garo Hills by March, 2014. Keeping in view the local resistance, the state is highly unlikely to have the dream line along its international border overlooking the plains of Bangladesh. Such a project would really open the floodgates of trade with the neighbouring country, which is a massive market considering its population compared to the hilly states of Northeast. The region can exploit the advantage of superior Indian technology coupled with special incentives to tap the market of the land, which was the British India till 1947. However, it remains to be seen as to how far the state government can pursue with the Centre to get a green signal for the ‘national project’.